Terrell Owens and Unsigned Free Agents with Impact Potential

The 2012 NFL free-agent market has been mostly picked clean, but there are a few names still unsigned that could have an impact next season in the right situation. Below, we break down a few of the free agents still on the market that fit that profile.

LB Gary Brackett

Brackett is undersized (5'11", 235 lbs) and missed most of the 2011 season with a shoulder injury. But when he's been on the field, the former Colts middle linebacker was productive. In nine seasons in Indianapolis, Brackett tallied over 700 total tackles and 12 interceptions.

He needs to find the right defensive system to have an impact. 

WR Plaxico Burress

More than likely, Burress's age (35) has kept him from seeing much interest on the open market. But for a team that needs help in the red zone, I don't see how there's much risk in adding Burress. He's 6'5" and 230 lbs and caught eight touchdowns last season in a run-first offense.

A team like Houston, Carolina or Philadelphia could find a way to use him productively. 

G Vernon Carey

Carey is approaching his 31st birthday and has become a liability in the passing game, but he's still a veteran of the offensive line that has experience playing both guard and tackle. He's unlikely to get a look as a starter this deep into free agency, but Carey makes sense for an offensive line in need of depth, especially inside.

His best bet might be to take whatever low-ball offer his hometown Miami Dolphins could put on the table.

WR Braylon Edwards

Knee injuries sent Edwards' 2011 campaign in San Francisco crashing down, and it remains unsure how stable the knee currently is. But if the knee checks out, Edwards is a tall (6'3") and relatively young (29 years old) receiver that showed in New York two seasons ago that there is still some production left.

A return back to the Big Apple to reunite with the Jets might be his best course of action, although Cincinnati and Houston also offer interesting possibilities. 

DL Aubrayo Franklin

A summer ago, Franklin was one of the hotter defensive names on the free-agent market. A disappointing season with the New Orleans Saints, however, has drained Franklin of much of his value this offseason.

A classic two-down run-stuffer, Franklin needs to get back to a 3-4 defense or with a coordinator that knows how to use his unique skill set. Mike Nolan may know how to do just that in Atlanta.

RB Ryan Grant

The long-time lead back in Green Bay, Grant was forced into a platoon role with the Packers in 2011. While James Starks was featured more often early on, Grant came on strong late and was the team's most productive runner over the second half of the season.

The burst is still there, but teams are obviously scared off by that magic age of 30 that Grant is quickly approaching. 

LB Rocky McIntosh

McIntosh started almost 70 games over six seasons with the Washington Redskins, but 2011 was a mess for the former second-rounder. He was benched for poor play in Week 10, and breaking curfew during the last week of the season drew a suspension.

He needs a fresh start, but McIntosh can still be a starting-quality player on the right roster. 

T Kareem McKenzie

The right tackle for the New York Giants' Super Bowl-winning team has heard mostly crickets during free agency. While he struggled mightily at times during 2011, he's still battle-tested and experienced playing both guard and right tackle.

McKenzie obviously wouldn't be a long-term fix at any position on an offensive line, but he's a player you could trust as a plug-in at either guard or on the right side.

WR Terrell Owens

Finally, we get to Owens.

While I remain unsure if there is a decision maker capable of bringing Owens back into the NFL ranks, I can't discount the possibility that Owens could still be an impact player at the game's highest level.

He's a physical marvel despite approaching 40 years old, and the production was there over his final seasons. Keep in mind, Owens went over 800 yards receiving in both 2009 and 2010. Would it be a huge stretch to think he could approach that kind of production again in 2012, given the right situation?

There's very little chance that Owens even has a conversation about a return to the NFL this season, but it's hard to say he couldn't have an impact for one of the 32 franchises. 

DE Matt Roth

Roth suffered a concussion midway through the 2011 season and was later put on IR with lingering symptoms. In today's NFL, where concussion awareness is at its height, Roth's end to '11 has been worrisome. 

But if a team can clear Roth's head injury, there is a solid situational pass-rusher available for cheap. He won't ever be a 10-sack guy, but four to six sacks over 400-500 snaps isn't out of the question.